Monday, February 28, 2011

One thing that ancient civilizations have in common with us is the tools that we are not using.They were just beginning to use the tools of pen and paper and books; we are leaving that era!Whatever our tools now, it is important that we record and remember what God has done.If we don't, we will make the same mistakes that have already been made.

Deuteronomy 26 shows the oral tradition the children of Israel had since they did not have books.They did not have the book of Deuteronomy-they were living Deuteronomy!Without pen and paper, they relied heavily on spoken (oral) tradition.Similarly, we are moving from a literate society to a digital society.You may have actually read more the past three years than you ever have, but your reading is by scanning and your writing is by typing.Now, instead of reading a book, you can just download the same book in audio format to your iPod!

Though this is true, it is just as important today as it was in Old Testament times to remember what God has done.One way you can do that is to orally remember and remind others of what God has done.I don't know if the people in Deuteronomy 26 recited verses 5-10 word for word every time, but on a regular basis they recounted what God had done!It is very important to God that what we know is passed on to our children (see Deuteronomy 6:7-9).

One distinct advantage we have over the people that we read about in Deuteronomy is that we have the written Word of God.We have God's words which are eternally settled in Heaven and are given to us.The Bible is the Authority for living today.However, my own experiences of God's work in my life are not written down.What God did for me last week, last month, or earlier this year on an evangelistic outreach in New York City needs to be passed on to my kids!I suspect that if you will take time today to consider what God has done, you will find plenty to pass on to your kids.Give it a shot today when you are all together.You'll probably find plenty to actually talk about!

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Q: How should we interpret the Bible?

A: God desires for His people to know and understand His Word—that's why He gave it to us and instructed fathers to teach it to their children in the home (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). However, we must keep in mind several important points. First, Christians must seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit while studying the Bible. It's not that the Bible requires any "extra-logical" or mystical insight to understand it. But we are limited in our understanding and often hindered by pride. We need the Holy Spirit to help us to think correctly, lest we distort the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:16). Second, a person can spend his or her entire life and still never come close to mining the depths of Scripture. The Bible is written in such a marvelous way that a child can understand the basic message, and yet the most educated theologians continue to learn new things from the Bible as they study it. There is always so much more to learn, so we must humbly approach the Word of God. Third, God has given the church learned men and gifted teachers who have devoted their lives to studying God's Word. While these people are certainly not infallible, we shouldn't automatically reject the work of those who have gone before us. Finally, since the Bible consists of written data, then in order to understand it, we must follow standard rules of grammar and interpretation. We will examine these rules or principles throughout this chapter and the next, especially as they relate to Genesis.Continue reading to learn more about properly discerning the Word of God.

News to Note Quick Look

Evolution in-action: Another prominently reported example of "evolution" illustrates just the opposite—and supports the creationist critique of Darwinian evolution. Read more.More evolution in action: The differences in human skin color provide another example of how natural selection is different from evolution. Read more.Also:

Friday, February 25, 2011

Life is short,Death is Sure.Sin the curse,But Christ the cure. - Unknown Author

The Son of God became the Son of Man that sons of men might become sons of God. He was the Heavenly Son of an earthly mother and the Earthly Son of the Heavenly Father. - Evangelist Jimmie Johnson

A cigarette has a fire on one end and a sucker on the other. - Dan Hawtree

Too many folks are trying to purify the water by painting the pumphouse. It won't work- you must get to the source. - Rev. John Offenberger

The only thing mysterious about the Bible is why do not we read it more often and live it better. - John Hartog II

God has no boarders in His house, only children. - Hartog

You get in God's business and you'll have God's blessing. - Lee Roberson [11-2-1981]

If we had more dead [to sin] Christians we'd have more live Churches. - Rev. Wayne Vinson [4-29-90]

When I came to Christ I lost my religion. - Dr. Carrol

Comparing themselves with themselves they are not wise [Corinthians]. Example from Lk 18:9-14- the Pharisee in the story of the Pharisee and the Publican in the Temple. The Pharisee compared himself to other men. the Publican saw himself in God's eyes.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Numbers 16:3 "And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?"

When a witness is sworn in by a court of law, he promises to tell what?"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."Is there really a difference between the truth and the whole truth?Between the truth and nothing but the truth?In a sense, oaths are made for liars!There is a difference in the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and Numbers 16 illustrates the difference.

Korah was a rebel, and his rebellion spread to 252 other people, a rebellion which ultimately resulted in the death of nearly fifteen thousand people.There is a lesson to be learned about rebellion, leadership, and influence; but I want us to look at the statement by Korah and his gang in Numbers 16:3.They said, "All the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. . . ."Were the children of Israel set apart (holy) to God?Yes, they were.Was the LORD among them?I think you could say yes.Was Moses in authority over them?Yes, he was.So was what Korah said true?No!He did not tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!

The question you must ask yourself is, how much of the truth are you telling?I have a friend at church that bagged one of the biggest bucks on the Bill Rice Ranch last year.Impressed?Well, you might not be as impressed when I tell you that his Chevy truck did all the damage on Highway 96!It's true that he killed a buck; the whole truth makes the story different altogether!In the age of Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, it is vital to keep the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but truth in mind, both in what you say and what you hear.

How much of the truth are you believing?It is a dangerous place to be when you only know half of the facts!Knowing that you have the whole truth instead of half the truth will help you in your daily life.If you hear that someone said something about you, be dead sure that you have the whole truth before confronting them.As a parent, be sure you have all the facts before the punishment is given out.Sometimes a sister is good at framing a brother!(It works the other way, as well.)

Be a person of honesty and integrity in what you say, and be careful about jumping to conclusions without knowing all the facts.Is your life filled with the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Numbers 13:30 "And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it."

Do you remember the kids' song about the twelve spies that said, "Ten were bad and two were good"?Numbers 13 records those spies' reports of the Promised Land.What do you think they saw?Did the two "good" spies see something different than the ten "bad" spies?Both groups saw a fruitful land that flowed "with milk and honey" and was filled with grapes, pomegranates, and figs; but they also saw the giants, strong fighters, and walled cities.According to each of their reports, they saw the same things, but they did not see the same things!

Their differing reports proved that what you know determines what you see.All twelve spies saw the giants, but only Caleb (and Joshua) said, "We are well able to overcome it."What did Caleb and Joshua know that helped them see what they saw?What experience did they have?Well, they had experienced God's hand in parting the Red Sea and defeating the mighty army of Egypt.Plus, the land they were spying was called the Promised Land-promised by God!That is what Caleb and Joshua knew, and it affected what they saw!

The facts about the Promised Land were not disputed.While all the spies had the facts, only two had faith.In your life today, what promise are you standing on?What you see today will be determined by what you know.If you have the confidence in knowing that you are doing what God wants you to do, that will affect what you see today.Do you see only the bad-the giants, strong armies, and walled cities?Or do you see those same things in light of the promises of God?You cannot wish away your circumstances, but you can live your life based on God's promises and power.

God has not promised us a life without "giants" or difficulty, but He has given us "great and precious promises" in His Word.When you stand on what God has promised, all the negatives in your life will be put into proper perspective.What do you see today?Well, that will depend on what you know!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Numbers 14:42 "Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies."

Lessons on Success

God promised a land to the children of Israel, and He commanded them to go up and possess the land that flowed with "milk and honey."In spite of God's promise, Israel complained and did not possess the land because of the evil report by ten spies. By the end of Numbers chapter 14, the children of Israel have had a change of heart and said, "Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place . . . for we have sinned."Sounds like a good deal, right?

Because their statement appears good on the surface, Moses' answer seems startling.He said, "Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper.Go ye not up, for the LORD is not among you. . . ."What would have been obedience when God told them to go up was now a transgression because God had removed His presence from that mission!

I suppose there are many lessons we can learn from this story about the children of Israel, but several lessons on success come to mind.First, obedience is both a matter of what you do and when you do it.Delayed obedience is not obedience.When you choose to obey is just as vital to God's blessing as the action itself.

Secondly, two wrongs do not make a right.The children of Israel saw the error of their way (after griping and complaining) and had a change of heart about going up to possess the land.Because they were late in their obedience, God said no to their plans; yet they persisted.Doing something that is wrong does not ever make something right.What they wanted to do would have been right if they had done it when God told them.Now it was wrong!

Thirdly, success depends on who is with you, not on who is against you.Success does not come to you because the enemy is smaller, nor does failure come because the enemy is greater.Success depends on who is with you.The reason the children of Israel should not have gone up was that God was not with them (verse 42).If the size of the enemy was the standard, they would have been defeated at Jericho and would have won at Ai.The difference between victory and defeat was Who was or was not with them!

Are you interested in being successful today?Sure you are!Learn these lessons from Numbers 14 and live in confidence.Be aware of areas today that may delay your obedience.Delayed obedience is not obedience.

Q: What is the message of the solitary lovebird?

A: In the Creation Museum, we have a number of detailed displays that present life-changing teachings from God's Word. These truths are illustrated through sculptures, paintings, posters, videos, and even an occasional woodcarving. In our well-known museum exhibit "Adam Naming the Animals," guests can see carvings of two lovebirds sitting on a tree limb. This entire scene depicts the perfect Garden of Eden. Further down a path, museum guests are shown a depiction of the effects of sin—suffering and death—on a once-perfect world. In this scene, high above the realistic and menacing raptor about to eat its prey, sits a single lovebird. The message is subtle: in a now-imperfect world, the bird's mate has died. That bird was carved by Paul Malott, who passed away recently and whose memorial service was held over the weekend. He leaves behind his beloved wife Cindy, a staff member of Answers in Genesis. Despite the tragedy of death in this fallen world, Paul Malott leaves a legacy of rock-solid faith and an effective testimony to the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ.

News to Note Quick Look

Little green wolves: Just a few weeks ago we reported that the continued search for habitable extrasolar planets has revealed just how special Earth is. So if aliens aren't on planets orbiting other stars, where else could they be? Read more.A lot of water and a lot of time: It's not just young-earth creationists who lean on catastrophic geological processes in explaining earth history. Increasingly, old-earthers are also seeing the work of catastrophes in shaping the planet. Read more.Also:

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When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psalm 8:3-4